Re: MAPS: Re: The Dutch Lesson

[Arno Adelaars <nota@xxxxxxxxx>]

Michael Greene wrote:

>I wonder how Dutch harm reduction allows psychedelics to be integrated
>into Dutch culture. I'm not so much interested in how psychedelics are
>distributed or which substances are available and to what extent.
>I'm more interested in how these substances are most often used in Dutch
>society (i.e. recreational, therapeutic or in spiritual pursuits) the
>conditions in which they are used (i.e. private living rooms, "trip
>clinics," the street, individually or in groups), and whether these uses
>are accepted as legitimate by Dutch society.

For an article on different styles of ayahuasca rituals in the Netherlands
take a look at www.xs4all.nl/~nota


Psilocybian mushrooms are sold legally since eight years in so called Smart
Shops in all major Dutch cities. Mushrooms are not considered to be a big
public health threat. In the first years mushrooms were mainly used
recreationally by new and young users, as is still the case for a small
percentage of users. Most people stop using after a while and those who
continue taking mushrooms do it mainly in a spiritual and/or therapeutical
way, both individually and in groups. Only inexperienced users and
drugtourists roam the streets while under the influence of mushrooms. Some
of these eventually fill hospital statistics, although it is a very small
percentge.
The Dutch harm reduction approach is that selling mushrooms legally in
smart shops with a staff trained in giving good information is far less
harmful for public health than scheduling mushrooms with all the
disadvantages of the black market: No quality control, no information for
users, no age limit.

"Trip clinics" don't exist as far as I know. Some ayahuasca circles might
come close to it.

About legitimacy: Only a small percentage of the population will ever use
psychedlic mushrooms regularly, so it is considered to be something
strange. There is curiosity because it is legal. When I published my book
on psilocybian mushrooms in Dutch in 1997 (Alles over Paddo's) there was a
lot of positive meadia attention, also from the Dutch populist press.
We are still awaiting a High Court verdict on growing and selling
mushrooms. Conservative elements in Dutch society (inspired and backed by
US anti-drug policies) want to schedule mushrooms, but public health
experts advising the Ministry of Health are against it.

Arno




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